3 things to smile about #3

Well, hasn't it been a while since my last post here my lovelies? That's summer for you: time slows down, you start fiddling with your new home, visiting places and people, and before you know it you realise it's nearly over. And all those lovely posts you'd planned just got totally side-tracked. So, now it's time to catch up and get back in the swing of things before we're all back in school. And what better way to ease my way back in than to talk about some of the nice things that made me smile recently?

Doesn't that just make you instantly happy, hey? Works a charm for me every time.

Next, Anthropologie. I get serious home furnishing cravings every time I go. Fortunately I don't go too often. But seriously, how cute are those initial hangers and door knobs? For me it's a great source of inspiration, and I find visiting the main store on Regent St ever so relaxing.

Another foodie one I'm afraid! Not only are those Maitre Choux eclairs perfect for IG photos, but they also taste super nice. Don't get me wrong, they are pricy, but well worth a little detour if you're in South Ken. Yummy!

my little Dolce Vita box

May's installment of My Little Box arrived sooner than any other before, and what a great, GREAT box it is this month! The Italian Dolce Vita theme is just perfect to put you in the mood for a mini break, and it was filled with fantastic giveaways. I had the chance to spend a few romantic days in Rome about five years ago, and for me nothing says Italy like a good pizza or plate of pasta. I took some of my inspiration for this shoot from My Little World magazine, where my favourite pasta revealed that I was a "free spirit" with "wild, crazy ways". My husband completely lacked second-degree humour when I told him about my pasta psychology, but that's men for you, isn't it?
Anyway, let's have a look at May's offerings. 

First of all the beauty goodies are perfect for the season. I could not resist trying the perfume straight away, La fille de l'air by Courreges. It's summery, fresh and actually quite easy to get used to, even for someone like me who hates changes in any shape or form. Then we have a green tea and jasmine body oil by Baija (never heard of them before, I'll confess), which I also tried and it's lovely. Somehow its smell tranported me back to long-gone summer days of my teenagehood, not sure why or where, I can't pinpoint it. Finally, a genius idea from My Little Beauty, an "illuminating moisturiser for legs" to get them ready for summer. Such a nice idea!

Now onto the best. The first lifestyle goody was a turban - to be worn a few different ways according to how you feel I guess. Ideas kindly suggested at the back. Turbans aren't quite my thing, but I did get one from Liberty's at Christmas, and will give this one a good go too. In any case, it's a pretty thing in a pretty box, what's not to like? But the best, best thing was the ring. I've read a few comments on IG about people loving it, and it's true, you cannot not like it, it's gorgeous! Shaped in a golden leaf it's an adorable accessory for all seasons, but comes just the week the Cannes festival started - I wonder if the team that put the box together had that in mind? Anyway, I wore mine the very first day and got people in work asking me about it straight away. It's definitely a hit here!

Overall the packaging was fab again this month, right down to every little detail, I love how neat and cute everything looks. What a surprise to find the Cherry Blossom Girl on the front cover too, I've been one of her followers for years now, and it's nice to see her doing a different kind of modelling! So, on the whole it's been another fab box, super worth it.
Did you like yours?

my little flower book

Once again today, in the nick of time before the May box arrives, here is my monthly Little Box post. I absolutely adored it, right up my street, and so fitting with the season.
Our own garden is blooming at the moment, it's been such a transformation over the past couple of weeks, and we feel really blessed to finally be able to enjoy the sunshine without having to pack a bag and treck to the local park. Anyway, back to our flower book.

 So April was all about flowers. First of all the box wasn't really a box, but rather a "book" - snazzy for hiding tiny secrets in your bookshelf. The colour scheme was lovely, all in oranges and greens.
So, on to goodies.
Lifestyle goodies truly felt like a treat this time, with a mini appartment garden to grow on your windowsill (I've put mine in the bathroom). I thought this was such a lovely idea, and with no need for a big open space to use it, it's perfect for everyone. Next came another great treat from a collaboration with Balzac Paris, the superb lingerie bag. I'll be honest with you, I never had the need for one of those before but I can see myself using it on one of our upcoming trips very soon. Even more pleasing, its colous perfectly match a new pair of underwear I bought in France last month!

Beatuty goodies were a genuine surprise, as they are most months. If you know my instagram account, you will surely know I have a thing for peonies, my favourite flower. So finding a peony shower gel by L'Occitane was fab, I felt like it was made just for me!  Then we had a nail varnish, the first one ever since I started my subscription. I haven't tried it yet, but il looks like a good shade, I had a similar one from Mavala before. And finally, MyLittle Beauty's product is a Rosee du Matin. Again, this is perfectly in line with the monthly theme, right down to the packaging.
I am so, so happy with this month's, well it's last month's in reality, Little Box, I can't wait for the new one to arrive.  And I will try to post about it sooner than 4 weeks late! In the meantime, enjoy your flowers wherever you are.

Easter Baby

This year's early Easter coincided with Baby's third birthday, which gave us the opportunity to see family and to organise a small first party in our new house (more on the new house later, we're still feeling our way around it, but gosh, is it nice to have your own place at last!)
Baby J could not have been happier with her birthday. I saw lots of hanging balloons on Pinterest lately and tried it the night before the big day - man, the look on her face when she saw them in the morning was priceless, I have never seen that look of amazement on her before, like "really, all this for me?" Then presents, then grandparents arriving without her knowing, then a whole day at London zoo, and then my delicious but not very "together" pecan cake (Delia's recipe here), wow, what a day for our big girl. And what proud, happy parents she makes us.

DIY tips
 ♥ For the balloons, I used some simple masking tape and raffia ribbons, we're lucky to have the right kind of skylight to hand them on to, but Pinterest has loads of ideas for balloons hanging off doorframes etc too.
 ♥ The cake really was nice, honest, especially the caramelised pecans and mascarpone cream BUT do not let a three-year-old dictate the decoration of said cake, stick to Delia's, or wait until the very last minute to add your hundreds and thousands!

my little box

Please forgive me, for I have been weak and gave in to temptation...but would you just look at that? Isn't it the most gorgeous thing to come through your post on a dreary January day?
After seeing a lot of fellow French bloggers showing off their "my little box" on their sites every month, I have finially decided to give this a go, with it being my birthday month and many other excuses I can't think of right now, I subscribed and got my first box in the post last week. Yay!

Each new box carries a different theme and is filled with beauty and lifestyle goodies. This month it's a "little wish box" and the lifestyle goodies are a gorgeous planner and some ribbony bracelets, and over on the beauty side I got a Ren micellar water. I use micellar water everyday and haven't tried this one, so it's great to give this new product a go. Next was a miracle day cream by Garnier, and then a very soft and lovely lip balm from My little box's own beauty range, My little beauty.

On the whole I really like the concept, and it's the ultimate feel-good postbox treat. And on the plus side, in a way it makes me feel a bit connected with the old country (I never really admit it, but I do miss you, France!) I think overall the best thing for me has to be the packaging, neat, pretty, goodies came in a lovely string bag, oh, and I forgot the magazine, too! So far, so good, folks. Let's see what February will bring. Can't wait!

♥ Maldives ~ part 2

Well I can't believe it's been a whole month since Christmas and the holidays, can you?
January is indeed dragging on a bit now, and to help warm your hearts and forget the gloom and doom I've put together a new Maldives post. This is time, foody that I am, I'm focusing on the a-ma-zing meals we've had while in the Niyama resort. It's easy to see why they got commended for their food and drink service.
There were almost too many highlights to mention here, so I'll let the pictures do the talking. Needless to say, I gave you a rare selfie here, but there is NO WAY I could show you my waistline after a week gorging on all this spectacular food. But hey, when in Rome...